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The briefing argues that addressing instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the wider Great Lakes region requires a regionally rooted political process that targets illegal resource exploitation and shifts international support toward sustainable democratic institutions rather than regime stability.

This report assesses how human migration drives land conversion and resource overexploitation in the Misotshi-Kabogo ecosystem of the Democratic Republic of Congo, threatening local species and traditional livelihoods.

This report examines the impacts of human migration on ecosystems in the Great Lakes Region of East and Central Africa, focusing on case studies in Uganda, Ethiopia, and the DRC. It finds that while migration is not the sole driver of environmental degradation, it exacerbates existing issues such as overfishing in Lake Albert, deforestation in the Bale Mountains and Misotshi–Kabogo, and land-use conflicts. The report recommends that conservationists implement migration-sensitive strategies, including inclusive governance and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods for both migrants and host communities.

This workshop report, compiled by Nyambura Githaiga for the Institute for Security Studies, analyzes the regional dimensions of conflict in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. It examines the interconnectedness of political instability, human rights violations, and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW), alongside the role of natural resources in financing armed groups. The document evaluates the effectiveness of regional bodies such as the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the East African Community (EAC) in promoting sustainable peace and managing forced displacement.

This research paper examines the adoption and implementation of the Nairobi Protocol for the Prevention, Control and Reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region and Horn of Africa. It analyzes the role of the Regional Centre for Small Arms (RECSA) in coordinating efforts across 12 signatory states and identifies significant gaps between regional political commitment and national-level execution.

This research paper examines the intersection of poor governance and the presence of unemployed former combatants in Africa, using the foiled 2004 coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea as a case study to highlight the risks of mercenary activity and the inadequacy of current legal frameworks.

This research paper examines the relationship between disarmament and the post-conflict reconciliation process in Rwanda following the 1994 genocide. It argues that while the Rwandan government has focused on reconciliation through mechanisms like the gacaca courts and regional small arms agreements, the failure to implement a comprehensive internal disarmament program for civilians and ex-combatants undermines lasting security and trust. The author highlights the complexities of disarming groups in a porous region, specifically the threat posed by Hutu militias in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and proposes integrating disarmament into the broader security sector reform and reconciliation framework.

This research paper by Oli Brown for the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the evolving relationship between environmental degradation, natural resource management, and global security. It traces the discourse from the Cold War era to the post-Cold War rise in intra-state conflicts, outlining four primary theoretical approaches to environmental security and proposing practical policy interventions to mitigate conflict driven by both resource scarcity and abundance.

This document is a seminar report from a meeting held on 7-8 May 2000 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, focused on addressing the proliferation and illicit trafficking of small arms in the Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa. It documents the proceedings of senior police officers, government officials, and representatives from subregional and non-governmental organisations.

The document analyzes the US shift toward supporting an African-led peacekeeping force (the African Crisis Reaction Force) following the costly 1992 intervention in Somalia. It identifies the 1996 diplomatic push for the ACRF as a result of crises in the Great Lakes region, US domestic political pressures under the Clinton Administration, and the 1996 US election cycle.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It details the scale of attacks, the strategic intent behind the violence to destabilize communities, and the systemic failures that allow impunity, while suggesting regional political pressure and gender-focused conflict resolution as remedies.

This monograph examines the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), focusing on the Lusaka Peace Agreement and the role of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) in managing the transition from conflict to stability.

This policy brief examines the unintended consequences of initiatives launched around 2011 to stop the illegal exploitation of minerals from financing conflict in the Great Lakes region. While these efforts increased global awareness of the link between mineral sourcing and insecurity, they also led to the labeling of regional minerals—specifically gold, tin, tantalum, and tungsten—as 'conflict minerals,' which has disrupted demand and harmed local economies.

This document is a keynote address delivered by Hon. Okello Oryem Henry, Uganda's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, at a roundtable conference titled "State of the Union 2030: Security Threats and Responses" held in Kampala, Uganda, in July 2009. The address outlines potential security threats facing Africa leading up to 2030 and suggests areas for analysis to inform the African Union's peace and security strategies.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the operational challenges facing the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ for Politics, Defence and Security (OPDS). It analyzes the Organ's evolution since its 1996 creation, focusing on the tension between state sovereignty and regional collaboration, the impact of socio-economic crises like HIV/AIDS on security forces, and the limited administrative capacity of the SADC Secretariat. The authors argue that while the region possesses strong political solidarity and a comprehensive security architecture, its efficacy is hindered by financial constraints and a precarious international environment.

The Nairobi Protocol, signed on April 21, 2004, is a regional agreement among eleven states in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa to prevent, control, and reduce the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW). It establishes comprehensive legal, operational, and administrative frameworks to combat illicit manufacturing and trafficking, regulate civilian and state ownership, and enhance sub-regional cooperation through information sharing and mutual legal assistance.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the Strategic Partnership between the European Union (EU) and South Africa, focusing on the second Heads of State meeting held in Cape Town on 11 September 2009. It examines the shift from a development-focused relationship to a high-level political alliance aimed at addressing global issues, trade, and regional stability in Africa.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the political economy of peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), arguing that regional peace agreements are shaped by the shifting economic power between the eastern Kivus and the southern Katanga province.